Wayne VanDyke, 78, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at home with his family by his side. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 5, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Loren Kalinowski as celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery with a luncheon to conclude at Sacred Heart Parish Hall. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Friday from 5-8 p.m. with the Vigil beginning at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Saturday one hour prior to Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to Pardee Cancer Center or Sacred Heart Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church. Wayne was born December 2, 1938, in Muskegon, MI, son of the late Harry and Reva Elvira (McKee) VanDyke. After graduating from Muskegon High School in 1957, Wayne served in the U.S. Navy from 1957-1961. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Shangri La as a machinist Mate. On September 9, 1961, he married Mary Louise Rambo at St. Jean Catholic Church in Muskegon. Wayne graduated from the Grand Rapids Police Academy and worked for the Grand Rapids Police Department for four years before joining the Muskegon Police Department for another year and a half. In 1966 he and his family moved to Mt. Pleasant where he began working for the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, where he would ultimately receive the honor of Officer of the Year. Wayne retired as a Sergeant in 1993. In his retirement he worked for Isabella County as a court officer for one year. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Parish serving on Hope Ministry and Pre-Cana committees as well as assisting in church as an usher. He enjoyed camping, hiking, and traveling. More than anything, he loved his family, who will miss him dearly. Wayne is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Mary; five children, Kathy (Larry) Parnell of Mt. Pleasant, Mark (LoriAnne) VanDyke of Blacksburg, VA; and Becky (Robert) Getchell, Loretta (Bill) Moran, and David (Marlene) VanDyke, all of Mt. Pleasant; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and sister, Joan Gowell of New Era. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Reva VanDyke; son, Philip VanDyke in 2007; brother, Robert VanDyke; and sister, Marva Johnson.
